California camping gets a twist with cabin concept

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A group formed to help revamp California’s state parks wants to open up their natural beauty to a wider array of people than typical campers.

Parks Forward envisions putting in hundreds of rustic, yet eye-catching, cabins at parks throughout the state. The idea is that people who have never camped will find it alluring.

Parks Forward co-chair Lance Conn says the rustic cabins are one step up from sleeping on the ground; the difference is there’s a door and bunks.

Cal Poly Pomona professor Juintow Lin, whose students designed the cabins, says she hopes one day to see park visitors post selfies on Facebook standing in front of their cabin with the message, “Hey, look at where I stayed!”

Later this year, state legislators will consider Parks Forward’s cabin proposal.